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It took us – the generation of women that grew up watching Sex and the City – a minute to get there, but we now know it: Miranda Hobbes was by far the best character on the show. Sure, she wasn’t the one with the enviable wardrobe, suffered a stint with adult braces, and lived vicariously through Jules & Mimi characters while her friends were out living the high life.

Then again, she also graduated from an Ivy League university, made partner at her law firm, and managed to buy an apartment in Manhattan in the her 30s. It’s only in 2018, when Cynthia Nixon ran for governor of New York, that the world reflected on the high-powered lawyer she portrayed for years – and realized just how insufferable Carrie Bradshaw was in comparison. Today, in honor of her 54th birthday, we’re looking back at the many instances that prove why Miranda was more relevant, relatable, likeable, and aspirational than her Sex and the City counterparts.

When's the last time you looked at the menu of your favorite restaurant?

2

"Maybe there isn't someone for everyone."

Admittedly, Miranda was on the cynical side, but we love that she refused to view the world through rose-tinted glasses.

3

"Don't cash Big's check. I'll loan you the money."

Not only was Miranda financially savvy but, despite her pregnancy, she also offered Carrie a loan so she could buy her apartment.

Photo: Courtesy of Digital Spy

4

"Soulmates only exist in the Hallmark aisle in Duane Reade drugs."

We've all made (many) errors in judgement in search of that elusive soulmate, so we're with Miranda on this one.

5

"Just me."

She was asked to check several 'Single Woman' boxes, questioned if her father would cover the down payment on her apartment, and judged over the size of her new place – and she handled it all with two simple words.

6

"So what, they get a medal for correctly identifying a feeling? We do that all day long – I feel pissed off. Ta-da!"

Sarcasm and self-awareness in one brilliant quote. Win-win.

7

"Yeah, that'll have men lining up at the door."

Carrie so kindly reminded Miranda that she was pregnant, not fat. But clearly, she wasn't convinced.

8

"Sexy is the thing I try to get them to see me as after I win them over with my personality."

Miranda never relied on her looks to get ahead in life, a refreshing change of pace from the typical leading lady on television.

Photo: Courtesy of The New York Times

9

"I love it. It is the most liberating thing I have ever heard. Think how much time and therapy I could have saved over the last 20 years if I had known this."

Referencing Miranda's failed date, Jack Berger once blurted out, "He's just not that into you." She found his brutal honesty liberating, not demotivating.

10

"My Tattle Tale came – finally a connection to the real world."

We all have our guilty pleasures – trashy tabloid magazines were hers.

11

"Look, we're both afraid we're going to kill the baby – that's a given. But we made an agreement this week. Monday to Friday, I try not to kill him. Saturday and Sunday, you try not to kill him."

In that moment, countless women worldwide could relate to her (lack of) maternal instincts.

12

"This isn't your crazy yellow toenail, Steve, this is cancer. And the longer you wait to find out what's going on, the longer we even sit here having this conversation, the more likely it is that the cancer will spread and that you will die."

Tough love, thy name is Miranda Hobbes.

Considering that Netflix dominates our weekend plans, we get why she dubbed TiVo her "boyfriend".

Photo: Courtesy of Swinny in the City

14

"It's like those guys you have the great second date with, and then never hear from again. I pretend they died."

We knew that coping mechanism would come in handy the second we heard it.

15

"Wake up, Carrie. How many more times are you gonna go through this? He is bad for you. Jesus, every time you get near him, you turn into this pathetic, needy, insecure victim and the thing that pisses me off the most is that you're more than willing to go right back for more."

Fans were quick to criticize Miranda for this one, but we chalked it up to her being a protective friend after Big led Carrie on way too many times.

16

"I pulled my own finger. I'm a walking whoopee cushion."

To our delight, Miranda's self-deprecating humor peaked when she was pregnant and gassy.

17

"But let me say, as far as the Mackenzie brief, Miranda Hobbes is kicking ass. Where I'm doing a bad job is at home."

Like working mothers everywhere, Miranda was perpetually plagued with guilt.

18

"I feel that you need to know your good friend Miranda Hobbes has just taken a piece of cake out of the garbage and eaten it. You'll probably need this information when you check me into the Betty Crocker Clinic."

She dealt with a dry spell though chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.

19

​"How does it happen that four such smart women have nothing to talk about but boyfriends? It's like seventh grade with bank accounts. What about us?"

Amen to that.

Photo: Courtesy of Boston Chefs

20

"I'm never going to be a girly girl."

She failed at the Goddess Workout, felt suffocated by the idea of a man moving in, and confessed to having smelly sponges in the kitchen – and made us feel more normal as a result.

21

"So what am I, your intellectual beard for the evening?"

Because a lawyer dating a modelizer is a definite no-no.

22

"What are you saying, Charlotte? I have a ghost because I'm single? That's discrimination."

Charlotte claiming to feel safe because she was back with Trey irritated Miranda – and us.

23

"Will you marry me?"

Miranda proposing to Steve on the sidewalk may just be the show's ultimate feminist statement.

Photo: Courtesy of People

24

"Me? I've never had an opinion in my life."

Leave it to Miranda to defuse a depressing farewell dinner with sarcasm.

25

"Your mother can come live with us."

Miranda and Steve's mother didn't agree on much, but when she was struck with Alzheimer's, it was Miranda who took care of her.

26

"You are my people, and we'll talk about it now. Now start at the beginning."

It was her wedding day, but Miranda shunned the spotlight and turned all her attention to Samantha's cancer diagnosis instead.

27

"No opening of presents, no games, no crustless bread – and I want fried chicken."

She was never one to conform – not even when planning her baby shower – and we love her for it.

28

"I'm just going to walk a little way behind you in case you change your mind and want to talk."

Ever the thoughtful friend, Miranda offered to walk a few paces behind Charlotte after she discovered that she's unlikely to conceive naturally.

Photo: Courtesy of HBO

29

​"I miss ESPN and NPR and Dateline. I am not the honeymoon type. Do you hate me?"

The 'dolce far niente' life ain't for everyone.

30

"Don't let him kiss you. That seems to be where you get into trouble."

Through all of Carrie's ups and downs with Big, Miranda was always there to give her advice – whether she took it or not is a whole other story.

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